In this episode, we focus on the question, “Are you and your church proving to your community that Christians are good citizens?” Many church leaders are hesitant when it comes to issues related to the public square. Hasn’t the culture war been lost? Shouldn’t we just focus on the Gospel? In this episode, we work […]

Matt Barnes was recently introduced as “the most powerful man in the Indiana statehouse.” But, he is not a politician. Rather, he is an informal pastor to the public servants in Indiana. His impact is drawing major attention, including this article by the Indy Star. In this episode, we discuss Matt’s unique ministry and what […]

Sunday’s deadly shooting at First Baptist Church Southerland Springs has shaken the nation and especially its church-goers. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the 26 victims, the pastor of First Baptist and the community of Southerland Springs. As the initial shock of the tragedy has worn off, many church leaders have […]

Many church leaders wear “the hat” of an employer. Therefore, they should be aware of key legal principles affecting employment. Here are five such principles: Principle #1 Ministerial Exception: In the Hosanna-Tabor case, the U.S. Supreme Court held that churches may hire and fire ministers based on the church’s religious beliefs without fear of violating […]

Sexual abuse of a minor is the #1 reason churches end up in court.[1] The sexual abuse of children in religious institutions is an affront to the Gospel, and even allegations of such activity have the potential to destroy a thriving ministry. For these reasons, child sexual abuse is one of the greatest legal issues […]

“The ‘Big C’ Church was glowing.” This was Lt. Vinal Lee’s assessment of the Church’s relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Lt. Vinal Lee of the Salvation Army spent several weeks in Houston after the hurricane and saw first-hand what relief efforts were effective and what efforts were not. In this episode, we […]

The housing allowance is the most important tax benefit available to ministers–to the tune of 800 million dollars per year, and a federal district court recently ruled that it is unconstitutional. Here are some key facts you need to know about the housing allowance moving forward: #1 What Happened Last Time The Freedom from Religion […]

The drug-abuse epidemic is sweeping the nation. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, drug abuse is the leading cause of accident death in the United States. This epidemic has ravaged rural and urban areas alike, and it has destroyed countless families and futures. One of the key topics of this podcast is […]

When a pastor/speaker mentions Creation in a sermon title, most of us prepare for a presentation on fossils, the ark, dinosaurs and apes—and at least one awkward picture of Adam and Eve with some very fortunately placed plants or animals. This presentation is not one of them. Though these topics are certainly important, my experience […]

I visited Southern Hills Baptist Church during a law school competition held in Las Vegas. I called the church for a ride to a church service, and Pastor Josh Teis sent a ministry volunteer (now a Deacon) to pick me up in a smart car. The ensuing ride involved rain, race-like maneuvers through a group […]